39. Age
Namor held her wrist gently as she lay in bed, reading with her tablet atop a pillow. A look of tenderness passed through his eyes.
"My, are you lovely," he said.
Shuri snorted.
At eighty years old, she still had the same wiry frame and her brown skin barely showed the effects of aging. Only a wrinkle under her eyes and the decrease in mobility revealed her age. It seemed some body part of hers would hurt at random, then leave just as quickly.
Her Namor, she never could call him husband despite their marriage, at most she called him K'uk'ulkan at her most affectionate, had barely changed. Only a streak of gray in his hair had popped up a decade ago. Whether he was truly immortal or his lifespan was severely slowed, he would outlive her.
"You look so young, my dear. Truly, I've not seen other surface dwellers age like you. Why is that?"
Shuri reluctantly let her tablet go to sleep. Namor was in one of his talkative moods. As she got older, he became more intentional with having leisure, rambling conversations with her. Storing the memories for a time when she was no longer there, he had told her.
"Well, y'know what they say." Shuri laughed.
"Which is?"
She waved him off. "If you know, you know. But thank you. Aging is a gift as all of us don't get to grow old."
Namor shifted alongside her. He lay next to her in the king-sized bed. She spent her elderly years almost exclusively in Wakanda with Namor constantly visiting.
What was it about getting older that made a person nostalgic? She understood fully why his mother had wanted to be buried on the surface. Sometimes, you just wanted to return to what you knew. Also, wearing a deep-sea diver suit was just too much work these days, and she no longer had the convenience of a panther suit either.
After a while, Shuri broke the peaceful silence. "I'm ready to see Mama again. T'Challa and Baba too. Oh, and Toussaint he was so young when he left us, but he made a mighty fine king."
He stilled, releasing her wrist. Pain flashed across his face before he hid it. But Shuri gave his hand a squeeze.
"That day is coming soon, but I'm going on my own accord. I have a few more inventions to finish and Wakandan-Talokan dinners to bless everyone with my presence."
"Shuri." The sound of her name was wrapped around sadness and longing.
"But I'm still happy to spend my days with you. I'll give you a heads up when I'll meet my ancestors, love."
Namor's smile was weak, but a smile nonetheless.
40. Protector (inspired by artoffemmantion's artwork)
The underwater grotto was beautiful. The waters were still and quiet and the lighting was unnaturally blue and green. It was calming and contrasted Namor's heavy, consuming presence. His desire for an alliance held a sense of foreboding if she didn't deter him.
The idea had tickled Shuri's mind before. An option that had become exceedingly annoying once her dear brother passed, but looking into Namor's wild eyes reignited her motivation. Wanting to save Riri and flex her scientific prowess had become one.
Shuri said to him. "I understand you're on the offensive, but you're only thinking of violence." She held a hand up to stop him from interrupting. "What if there were another protector for Talokan? Y'know a good defense. What if I could recreate the herb?"
He rubbed his chin. "Princess, I understand the healing properties of herbs. But it won't heal the surface dweller's souls. They fill that hole with vengeance, greed, and hatred. I only desire to return the same to them before they strike again. Because there will always be a next time. It's just a matter of when."
Shuri smiled softly. "Because you've shown me your precious world, I'll tell you Wakanda's black panther is powered by a special herb. It's passed down and only handed to a righteous leader. My brother—" She swallowed thickly and Namor placed a hand on her shoulder. The anger he had toward the surface didn't extend to her, she thought.
"My brother was the last one, and for a while, I thought it should stay that way. But if it avoids war and some little girl out there doesn't have to lose her big brother, I'll recreate it. But I need Riri's help to do so. You must let her go."
The king of Talokan frowned, but he had not yet thrown her to the sharks. Or whales? Or whatever aquatic friends he had to do his bidding.
"This herb you speak of would bring a lot of possibilities." There, at most, he admitted he could see the value. "But an alliance between two strong nations is less risk-averse."
"Fine, meet with my mother. Negotiate with her. If she agrees, and she's not an evil woman, I promise you'll have the strength of the black panther on your side. Let's not begin a senseless war. Peace, K'uk'ulkan. Peace is the only way."
"You're persistent." His eyes trailed her face.
She grabbed his hand and his expression smoothed to a less annoyed one.
"Only way I know how to be," she smiled, shrugging her shoulders. "You've my word."
Queen Ramonda didn't take well to surprises. Of course, she had years of experience to know how to steel her face and guard her emotions. But she didn't like this sudden development.
This, this fish man had sneaked onto their shores, demanded labor from them, and kidnapped her last living relative within a span of two weeks.
When she was finally granted an audience with the elusive king on the beach, he strolled in all his pompousness with Shuri matching his stride. She didn't look mishandled or malnourished—her countenance was bright even. Skin moisturized. Jade jewels in her ears that hadn't been there before.
Mother and daughter were immediately locked into a hug. Shuri was in a sleek, mint-green water suit. The suit signified she had time to tinker and build while captured. The conditions hadn't been unlivable it seemed.
Shuri quickly reintroduced Namor, acting as some type of mediator. Ramonda wasn't slow in any way, and she noticed Namor's dark eyes following her daughter for reassurance. They weren't even in lust—instead, she could see respect in his gaze.
"Naymor, I see my daughter is well."
He answered, "Yes, Queen. Your daughter is always safe in my care. And is welcome to return at any time."
His usage of the present tense didn't pass unnoticed. Ramonda pursed her lips.
Shuri's eyes widened. "Really? I'm a welcomed guest now?"
He turned to her, features softening. It was unnerving how much emotion could be read from his eyes.
A trail of water slid down from his wavy hair to his neck. The swim to shore must have been rigorous with Shuri in tow, but he hadn't broken a sweat. Truly, one with the water. "You're a friend to my nation, itzia. With my blessing, Talokan can be all yours to roam."
Ramonda tightened her arms around Shuri. Yes, her daughter was in her twenties, but Bast knew she was sheltered and inexperienced. Namor's declaration carried implications. Free to roam? Friend to a nation in a mere span of days after a kidnapping?
"You speak like a smitten boy, Namor. Is this how you proceed with negotiations? With empty promises?"
"Mama!" Shuri hissed.
"I lower myself to this. On the goodwill of your daughter."
Shuri covered her face with her hands, grimacing. "Namor!"
He dared to touch the jade earring in Shuri's ear. "Your daughter is a fine woman. Intelligent but still lighthearted with so much on her shoulders. She could wield her beauty as a weapon, but she chooses not to or maybe she is unaware of her own magnitude."
"Shuri, close your mouth! Don't gape as a fish." Ramonda said more in annoyance toward Namor than Shuri. Things were becoming clearer with each word from his mouth.
Whatever lovesick feelings she suspected he had toward Shuri were compartmentalized. The face of a diplomat took over. "I believe she understands like myself how important it is to lead for our people. My life, my love, and my concern are for Talokan. I'm here on the basis of Wakanda protecting it."
Ramonda pursed her lips. "And what gives you the slightest idea that Wakanda will have any place in this? Already you've involved us in your short-sightedness. We're in a political mess as we speak."
Shuri pulled away from her. Looking at Namor and then her again, she said, "Because Mama, I'm going to recreate the herb! As Black Panther, I can protect us both." With the grace of an ice-skating beaver, she continued. "If you'll excuse me, I must run to my lab. You two, play nice!"
Her genius of a daughter broke into a dash toward their mansion. Her steps left footprints in the sand. What in Bast's name was wrong with that child, Ramond thought, confused.
Namor and she both shared in the new awkwardness. His hand clenched and unclenched at his side. Shuri leaving meant they were going to have to find common ground on their own.
Now, her daughter wanted to recreate the herb. Despite her constant prodding and encouragement, Shuri couldn't be convinced until now. And to make matters worse she was promising to protect his people. That girl was stubborn. She would do it with or without Wakanda's assistance if she made her mind up.
Breathe, she murmured to herself. She had to take Shuri out of the situation and think as a queen. His obvious intentions with her daughter could come later.
"I don't know what Princess Shuri has promised you in full, so remove that from your mind. What do you desire from Wakanda? And what will Talokan give us in return?"
Namor chuckled with no humor. "To the point, thank you, queen. Talokan is asking for an alliance with Wakanda. Let us band together. Our technology, our army—which is more than the blades of grass—will be available to Wakanda. In exchange..."
From behind the palm tree, Shuri smiled happily, secretly watching them. As much as she was in a hurry to return to her lovely gadgets and interns, she had been concerned. But somehow, she thought the negotiations were going to work out.
Shuri, dressed in her panther suit, crossed her leg. The negotiations between her mother and Namor had been tough and long, and they could only agree on three things in the end: Shuri recreating the herb, Talokan sharing their army with Wakanda, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. Shuri was still trying to get Namor to leave Riri alone since the college girl had told her he still had Talokans keeping tabs on her.
"Girl, I be scared every time I go to the pool that some blue chick is going to pop out with a spear," Riri had told her, half laughing and half serious.
But that could be smoothed out. Namor wasn't unreasonable Shuri was learning. He was also … other things as well. Shuri hadn't realized she sought out his face during the meeting. He never looked away until she did. For all she knew, he was still staring.
Ramonda cleared her throat, and Shuri wondered if it had been an intentional sign for her to pay attention. Her mother finished recapping the agreement to the Wakandan court.
The elders clapped and Attuma and Namora nodded in acceptance.
"While we couldn't reach a decision on all the things requested…" Ramonda began.
Namor spoke, cutting her off. The Dora Milaje glared at his interruption. "Yes, like a betrothal to Princess Shuri. I'm still interested and would like to ask for the princess's hand."
"You know what my answer was to that, Nay-mor. You need not ask again," Ramonda politely rebuked him. Her eyes narrowed. She had to respect him as a leader and another royal, but she could deny him as a son-in-law.
Shuri almost choked her spit. She had been included in the negotiations?
"Yes, Queen Ramonda, you were perfectly clear. But the princess is whose say matters in this situation, so I'll ask again. But yes, it doesn't have to be today."
"Princess Shuri, do you have any comments?" M'Baku asked in pure amusement. His cheek was leaning into his hand.
His question broke her stupor.
"Uhh, no, yes, no answers for me—I mean questions." Shuri squeaked.
She felt hot in her panther suit and too many eyes were watching her, especially her mother's like a hawk. This couldn't be the same tongue that could rattle off the periodic table in her sleep.
"Yes, a charming reply from our intelligent princess Shuri with the most robust vocabulary in all of Wakanda." M'Baku slapped his knee. "Meeting adjourned!"
Wanted to write about elderly Shuri and Namor but without it involving her on the death bed. They're just chilling here talking about the inevitable. #40 A what if. Shuri becomes the protector/black panther but with none of the bad parts. What if everything went right?
Artofemmanation's picture that inspired the story: www . tumblr . artofemmanation / 709832284858155008 / it-could-have-been-different-part-1-i-have-a